Discover Presque Isle introduces visitors to what state park has to offer

For some lovers of the Pennsylvania peninsula on Lake Erie, attending Discover Presque Isle is a longtime tradition.

But for others, the event can be an introduction to Presque Isle State Park.

The seven-day festival features a variety of activities to do at the state park, including beach yoga, kayaking, bike riding, lighthouse exploration, turtle watching, kite flying, fishing, sand sculpting, volleyball, concerts and more.

"Try to experience all we have to offer," said Jon DeMarco, executive director of the Presque Isle Partnership. The nonprofit supports the park and puts on Discover Presque Isle, which is July 22-28 this year.

More advice for new visitors

DeMarco said Discover Presque Isle is an opportunity "to celebrate all that Presque Isle offers naturally and so much more."

He said local people can plan it as a staycation, trying activities they might only do on vacation like renting a canoe.

He advised everyone "to get out here early and stay late."

Kites will be flying as early as dawn and the bonfire will go on until 10 p.m.

How does DPI benefit the park?

While a few Discover Presque Isle events require a fee, many are free. DeMarco said donations are appreciated.

The festival is the Presque Isle Partnership's largest annual fundraiser and has raised money for lifeguard stations, mobile mats that can be placed on beaches to allow access for wheelchairs and people who have trouble moving over sand, and other amenities the state doesn't fund.

"Any chance you have to give a little back ... will benefit the park and future projects," DeMarco said.

Visitors to the park during Discover Presque Isle can purchase a Pipi the frog button, which is $3 or two for $5. The button front features the frog mascot sitting on a lifeguard station. Each button back has a unique number that gives the holder a chance to win a $1,000 Country Fair gift card.

Money raised from the sale of buttons and also T-shirts will be used to purchase more mats to increase beach access and to buy native trees and shrubs to be planted on the peninsula, DeMarco said.

"Our goal is to sell all of our (5,000) buttons and all of our (500) T-shirts," he said.

Where to eat and shop

The Art in the Park and Food Festival did so well in 2023 that they'll be back this year. Crafts/vendors and food weren't part of the festival for a couple years due to crowd concerns but returned last year.

"I think people were very excited to have the food and the vendors back," DeMarco said.

He anticipated eight to 10 food vendors. Three to four dozen art/craft vendors are expected, along with environmental partners such as the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The popular pancake breakfast will be held two mornings in the Rotary Pavilion as usual.

Schedule highlights

New this year will be the NWPA Beekeepers Association setup at the park's Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Drive. DeMarco said the group will be there July 22-27, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a mobile hive and local honey products. The Ridge Center will be open daily during the festival from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Also available daily throughout Discover Presque Isle will be beach yoga, Pilates and yogalates; canoe, kayak, paddle board and boat rentals; aqua-cycle, bicycle and surrey rentals; Lady Kate boat tours; tours of the lagoons on pontoon boats; and Presque Isle Lighthouse tours.

Here are other highlights for the week:

July 22

Discover Turtles: 10-11 a.m., lagoons boat launch, free. Learn from a park naturalist about turtles at the peninsula.

July 23

Bicycle Tour of Presque Isle: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Cookhouse Pavilion, preregistration required, free. Learn about local flora and fauna during this easy 10-mile slow roll.

July 24

Discover Archery with DCNR: 1-3 p.m., Ridge Center, free. Learn about archery equipment and how to shoot safely. 

Sunset Music Series: 5:30 p.m.-dusk, Beach 11, free. Enjoy two live bands, swimming, hula-hoop workshops, ice cream and food trucks.

July 25

Tamarack Birds of Prey Education Program: 6-7:30 p.m., also July 27, 1-2:30 p.m., Ridge Center, free. Get up close with live birds of prey.

July 26

Art in the Park and Food Festival: also July 27, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. both days, and July 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Beach 11, prices vary. Browse dozens of artisans, food vendors and environmental partners.

Kite Beach Illumination: 8-10 p.m., Sunset Point, free. Kites will fly as early as dawn but will be lit up at night.

July 27

Pancake breakfast: also July 28, 7:30 a.m.-noon both days, Rotary Pavilion, $9 for adults, $5 for younger than 12, $1 extra for eggs. Enjoy breakfast in the park.

Volleyball Challenge: 8:30 a.m. start, Beach 6, $90 per team. Register a team or just watch this co-ed sixes round robin tournament.

Fishing with S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie: 9 a.m.-noon, Rotary Pavilion, free. Fishing license not required and equipment provided.

Sand Sculpture Competition: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Beach 11, free to enter. All skill levels welcome.

Rock Stage: 2-10 p.m., Beach 1, free. Rock out to five bands; schedule to be determined.

Fire performers: 7:30-9:30 p.m., Beach 1, free. Kinetic Creativity presents fire performances. 

Giant Beach Bonfire: 9-10 p.m., Beach 1. See a monster of a bonfire on the beach.

July 28

Birding crafts and activities for kids: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Perry Monument Pavilion, free. Make pine-cone bird feeders, learn to use binoculars, watch birds and more.

For more about these activities and others, visit www.discoverpi.com/events/dpi.

Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com.